Switzerland is a small landlocked country in Western Europe which is mainly mountainous. It is bordered by Germany to the north, Lichtenstein and Austria to the east, France to the West and Italy to the south. The borders with France and Italy contain some of the best skiing in the world along the Alps Mountains. Switzerland also contains the Central Plateau and the Jura Mountains.

The Swiss Confederation is a Federal Republic which is made up of 26 cantons. Throughout history Switzerland has been a centre of international banking and the country is one of the richest in the world with a very high standard of living.
Meanwhile Switzerland has built up a reputation for being neutral throughout conflicts including the two World Wars. Nevertheless although Switzerland has not fought a war since 1815, Swiss people all have to do a long period of army service to defend the nation if necessary. Today Switzerland is not an EU member after the population overwhelmingly voted in 2001 against it. The Swiss Franc is the national currency. 
 

Switzerland is an incredibly popular tourist destination. It has some of the best alpine scenery and glaciers such as the Aletsch Glacier form the basis for incredible national parks. One of the main attractions of Switzerland is the skiing in the Alps Mountains while the fresh mountain air and clean lakes have drawn people there for the recuperative health reasons. Zurich is home to some of the world’s most prestigious banking and insurance institutions while Geneva is home to the Red Cross and the United Nations. All in all the country is incredibly efficient with an unparalleled public transport system and superb motorways. The Swiss also have a number of charming customs which make rural Switzerland a delight.

7.8 million people live in Switzerland, mainly in the cities of Zurich and Geneva while approximately 600,000 people live in the capital Bern. Switzerland is a very diverse ethnically with Germans making up 65% of the population, French 18%, Italian 10% and Romansch 1%. Accordingly Swiss speak German, French, Italian and Romansch. According to the 2000 census 41.8% of Swiss are Roman Catholic, 35.3% Protestant, Muslim 4.3% while11.1% of people have no religion.